Motorola Eases Up on Locked Bootloader Stance, Plans to Unlock Portfolio in 2011?

All the talk of locked bootloaders over the last few months has been a little depressing, but today’s word out of Motorola may finally mean that all of our persistent attention to the matter is paying off. Everyone remember the Motorola bootloader petition that made its rounds almost a month ago? Well, the man behind it (Irwin Proud) has made several attempts to contact Moto over the issue and finally received a response that I’m sure you’ll enjoy…

“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”

Talk about the ultimate PR response. While this may not be a definitive, “We’ll unlock everything,” it is at least a positive acknowledgement from Motorola and it also takes the pressure off of them and puts it squarely on the carriers. We’ve pointed the finger at carriers for months now even while others thought we were out of our minds, but this is about as clear of a statement as you’ll find from a phone manufacturer blaming them. “Where carriers and operators will allow it.” Now there is the real battle.

Again, it shows that our work as a community is paying off, but that doesn’t mean this battle is over. So, who’s starting up the “Carriers, let them unlock the bootloader” petition?